I think you're referring to Gmail. Gmail creates multiple folders for a complete inventory and the folders are not really folders, they are labels. That is each email message exists once, but Gmail has several indices that point to it. That is why I always attempt to discourage users from subscribing to 'folders' such as Allmail, as that includes all mail, including trash. So, to solve your issue, I suggest you unsubscribe from those all encompassing gmail folders.

I think you're referring to Gmail. Gmail creates multiple folders for a complete inventory and the folders are not really folders, they are labels. That is each email message exists once, but Gmail has several indices that point to it. That is why I always attempt to discourage users from subscribing to 'folders' such as Allmail, as that includes all mail, including trash. So, to solve your issue, I suggest you unsubscribe from those all encompassing gmail folders.

Confusing. First, you say they are not "Folders" but "Labels" and then you tell me to "unsubscribe" from these folders, without any instructions on how to do what you say. I honestly have no clue about what you are suggesting here.

I don't care about terminology, okay? Folders, Labels, Butt Cracks; I don't care what the freak they are called!! What I want to know is how do I tell TB how to stop displaying the same email THREE FREAKING TIMES! and requiring me to click on all three display places to get rid of the one stinking email. Can I tell TB to stop this insanity, or not? Yes, or No? If the answer is, no, I will just use POP3. Everyone says IMAP is what I should use, but if this is the best TB can do with IMAP, then those people have something wrong in the head.

Venting at us serves no purpose. The issue is YOUR setting of Gmail. If you log onto your account on the web, under the settings menu, Gmail lets you specify which folders should be viewable in IMAP. Don't blame Thunderbird for that; it's just acknowledging what you authorized. You might also, in Thunderbird, highlight the account on main pane, rightclick and select 'subscribe' and untick any folders there that you do not want.

Venting at us serves no purpose. The issue is YOUR setting of Gmail. If you log onto your account on the web, under the settings menu, Gmail lets you specify which folders should be viewable in IMAP. Don't blame Thunderbird for that; it's just acknowledging what you authorized. You might also, in Thunderbird, highlight the account on the main pane, right-click and select 'subscribe' and untick any folders there that you do not want.

Thank you for the instructions. I am sorry for venting, but your first comment presented no useful information to me. Your second comment was very useful. I just get so tired of the pedanticism that seems to have taken over every forum. You ask for help, but if you make one little naming mistake, the whole conversation gets hijacked by people trying to correct all cultural nomenclature. It's a "Venomous snake" NOT a Poisonous snake! It's a gun MAGAZINE, NOT a Gun Clip! It's a carbonated beverage, NOT a COKE! It's a Facial Tissue, NOT a Kleenex! So on and so forth and so forth ad nauseam.