Scott,
this is simply not accurate. as a sample i have provided to different html calls to paypal standard. they are of course html for the sake of thsi discussion:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick-subscriptions&business=mark@nwpa.net&item_name=ItemThatDOESEnds&a3=5.00&p3=1&t3=M¤cy_code=USD&no_note=1&src=0
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick-subscriptions&business=mark@nwpa.net&item_name=ItemThatNEVEREnds&a3=5.00&p3=1&t3=M¤cy_code=USD&no_note=1&src=1
If you copy either of these strings into the browser you will find that the 1st one says "$5.00 USD for one month" and the second one says "$5.00 USD for each month". The second subscription will go on forever. The problem is with the implimentation. The recuring submition needs to adjust the submition when the recuring value is set 9999 so the submition includes the "src" value with the flag set to 1
Thanks
Mark