OK, since my last post I have determined that there are other issues as well. I do suspect the server environment here being the issue and to that end I have installed a phpinfo script (thinking it may be helpful to troubleshoot):
http://www.sexhealthmatters.dreamhosters.com/phpinfo.php
The issue is not just the dynamic variables. It is anything that it a form that the user is submitting. I have freeform installed and the forums installed and if you go to the front end for either of these you are just taken to the homepage (for freeform) or just stay on the forum post entry page (forums) but in both cases nothing happens (no error checking, no processing, nothing - no data gets entered into the DB either).
I have ruled out my form code (it works in the same environment in another setup) and I have ruled out hiding the index.php file (I use the exclude method). I have a support request in to dreamhost as well. I realize that this falls into a gray area (Dreamhost doesn’t support EE and you don’t support Dreamhost) but if you have any thoughts / suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. At this point I’m trying to avoid moving to a new server but at the same time I need to keep things moving.
I thank you in advance.