Similar/same problem.
Prior to changing to a new ISP, I moved all of my Inbox to another folder. My 'empty' Inbox now reports "Total: 279".
uname -a 2.6.27-11-generic #1 SMP Thu Jan 29 19:24:39 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux
Ubuntu 8.10.1
Mozilla Thunderbird version 2.0.0.19 (20090105) 2.0.0.19+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.8.10.1
Similar/same problem.
Prior to changing to a new ISP, I moved all of my Inbox to another folder.
My 'empty' Inbox now reports "Total: 279".
uname -a
2.6.27-11-generic #1 SMP Thu Jan 29 19:24:39 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux
Ubuntu 8.10.1
Mozilla Thunderbird version 2.0.0.19 (20090105) nobinonly- 0ubuntu0. 8.10.1
2.0.0.19+