I read that as well, and want to read it that way,

I read that as well, and want to read it that way, but the order doesn't really matter. The fact that the other one specifically states slides and the time frame and then part a in what you posted said "must" is difficult to argue. The problem with the whole ordeal is that the FAA is forcing the applicant to have working slides, when it is the fault of the FAA that they don't have working slides. That's why this is such an issue. The regs penalize the wrong party for the slides not operating, when it's really the fault of the manufacturer and the FAA that it didn't work properly.