Can I configure Flash to keep streams from constantly stopping to buffer? Perhaps reduce the quality of the stream?

If the stream is buffering, it's because you're not able to download data fast enough to keep the video playing.  This could be an issue between you and your internet service provider, or between your internet service provider and the server that publishes the video.  Your ISP has the visibility to diagnose it.  It's pretty hard to tell what's going on from your position in the network, but there's not much you can do about it beyond talking to the ISP.