I FIXED IT!!!!!!!
I opened up Digidesign Core Audio Setup (didn't even know that existed, never used it or saw it before) and removed iTunes from the list of applications that it supported, and PRESTO!! iTunes now opens. Whew! Of course the most important thing is now I can continue to brag to my Windows friends about how I've never had to reinstall OS X.
As for Digidesign...I've had soooooo many problems with their clunky software...how 'bout we all crap in a box and send it to them? C'mon, who's up for it?