That makes a lot of sense. I'll test without and look for an alternative SSL method. Thanks again, Trendoman.
I DID SOME MORE TESTING. HERE IS THE LATEST I FOUND OUT:
1. My "mailto" href problem remains even with pretty urls turned off and the htaccess file reverted to normal.
2. My "mailto" href problem remains even without any force SSL code in htaccess.
3. My "mailto" href problem remains even on a simple, plain html page with no couch tags at all.
4. It remains regardless of K_SITE_URL, whether it's set or not.
5. I checked cPanel and there is no redirect going on there.
BUT -- I have a mailto link in the footer include that resolves perfectly and normally on every page.
This is baffling.
I'll have to put this on the backburner until I think of something else to check out, and possibly have to live with it altogether.
Thanks again for everyone's help on this.