My issue is the shifting of clips. Whether its graphics, inserted clip or detached audio. I work on editing the piece then go back to do all the graphics. The issue is unless I lock the lines will shift towards the beginning making me have to go back and to re-edit sections. As I am doing that other sections are moving. I think it is with the smart editor that is on. Is there away to stop this from happening?

The question is, which editing mode are you in? For sure, you are not in Overwrite Mode, where nothing moves on any of the tracks when you something on another track.

It would not be hard to try each mode and see what happens.... or take a look at the manual.

Here is a TUTORIAL explaining the different edit modes.