I added the log_ftp_protocol line, but it doesn't appear to be a valid value. Let me google that entry and see if I can get some further info. It looks like that may be the key to what I need. Thanks.
root@pbx:/polycom $ service vsftpd restart
Shutting down vsftpd: [ OK ]
Starting vsftpd for vsftpd: 500 OOPS: bad bool value in config file for: log_ftp_protocol
[FAILED]
nevermind, i must have cut/paste something strange that didn't show up in VI from your post. I deleted the line and manually retyped it and it started up fine. Let me go see if I now have more verbose logs.
Nope. No go, I still only see file transfers appearing in the log

. Tried the syslog_enable=NO as well. Still no love.