Boy, I wish I had waited just a while longer and not listened to my webhost. The webhost insisted that I install a blank .htaccess file and even refused to help at one point because I didn't use their fantastico installer.
At this point, I allowed the web host to install Drupal through their fantastico script (Drupal 6.15), I have updated the code base to 6.16 and am now working on uploading and importing.
Regardless, Pierre thank you for an important troubleshooting tool, Fred thanks for responding to my query and Luke you probably hit the nail right on the head.
I am preparing to import (one more time) the sql file and work with the result. We'll see if the same issue repeats itself and I'll use the troubleshooting ideas you guys provided. If history repeats itself this morning with the same error then I will be back to this list later this morning.
Thanks, James