Thanks for the pointer...but I think I might have figured it out...I'm hoping.  I downloaded and installed Adobe MUSE beta two days ago and in the installation, they slipped a new version of Adobe Air by me.  I had no clue that Air was what made the runtime directory work.  Anyways, when I first reinstalled Poser, it was detecting new version of Air and not rewriting it.  After a while I figured it had to have been something I installed...and so I just uninstalled Muse and Air...then my runtime wouldn't work at all.  I got a "you need adobe air" message when Poser loaded.  So I decided to reinstall Poser again.  During the process of install, I noted it installed AIR components.  Upon the reinstall completion, the runtime appears to be working normal again.  I am reassociating my Runtimes now and I'm hoping none of them still have components of the new air.  If not, I think it might fix it.  Apparently the newest Air version is having issues with P2010.  I will notify SM if this ends up being an absolute.  I'm still copying files at the moment.  Fingers crossed.

Odd that your problems revolved around Flash...another Adobe product.  Go figure. 

And for those of you wondering...don't bother with Muse.  It's the lamest thing Adobe has ever done.  And certainly not worth the problems with Poser.