flush.py

import socket

def flush(s, buf=1024):
    """recv the most recent message, ignoring queued values"""
    # save timeout
    to = s.gettimeout()
    # recv first message in blocking manner
    msg = s.recv(buf)
    s.settimeout(0)
    while True:
        try:
            msg = s.recv(buf)
        except socket.error:
            # stop recving when there's nothing to recv
            break
    # restore timeout
    s.settimeout(to)
    return msg