>I know it sounds stupid... but the only solution I can think of right now is to change all the system cursors to the one you want. In this way, you'll have what you want regardless of which is the current cursor. :(

That's so direct I hadn't even considered it. Of course, if things go wrong the result is even more catastrophic, but it would simplify everything, also. Thanks for the idea, I'll ponder it, at least :)