t seems that Chicago priest Michael Pfleger is one of those guys who "has plans for everyone." Described as "media savvy" and "an activist priest," Rev. Pfleger of St. Sabina's Catholic Church has conducted a prolonged campaign against the popular Jerry Springer show, a daytime favorite of the trailer park set where spontaneous "fights" seem to break out on stage, and where topics include "I've Got A Sexual Secret To Tell You," or "My Boyfriend Is A Drag Queen." Rev. Pfleger says that Springer's program "sends the wrong messages to young people about violence," and has complained to network and city officials about the wildly popular program. For his part, Springer -- a former Mayor of Cincinnati -- has often promised to tone-down the violence threshold, but is inevitably soon back in his self-appointed role as "Ringmaster" of the show.

   Pfleger is no stranger to the limelight, though, or in demanding that government intervene to enforce his social agenda. He led a controversial 14-year campaign that included "red washing" billboards that advertised products he objected to, including tobacco and malt liquor. Public officials caved in and in 1997 agreed to phase out all of the city's 4,278 billboards and other "unpermitted" posters. Using arguments chillingly similar to those of antiabortion activists, Pfleger, when prosecuted for defacing private property, told the jury that he had a "moral obligation" to take action, and was acquitted.

   And left out in the debate over the Jerry Springer Show is the fact that Pfleger is also a vociferous supporter of charter schools and other public aid-to-religion schemes. His parish is "financially sound," notes the Family Education Network, and charges $2,300 per year in tuition. Despite opposition from local public education unions and groups, Pfleger has the support of many city officials, and is involved in a plan where charter schools -- including his own -- would receive up to $5,000 per year per student in state funds. When questions were raised in February of this year about the plan, Pfleger said that he would offer religion classes to students "after school."

   "Father Pfleger is one of a handful of religious leaders who have expressed an interest in recent weeks in launching charter schools in urban districts," notes the Network.

   But Pfleger has made national news because of his anti-Springer campaign, and his recent success in persuading the Chicago City Council to look into the Ringmaster's activities. It all started when Alderman Edward Burke (14th), a former Chicago cop and now an attorney, asked why, if the fights on Springer's program were for real, no arrests were made. If the fights were staged, continued Burke, Springer should be made to take out an entertainment license. Either way, Springer was on the hotseat. The Chicago Tribune noted that any admission that the stage action was scripted "would provide new ammunition for Rev. Michael Pfleger, the South Side priest and persistent Springer critic."

   Pfleger and his supporters packed last week's council hearing, with the priest declaring that evidence of staged theatrics on Springer "would show him as a liar and fraud. I think it would take the attraction off his show. I think he would lose audience."

"PLEGER IS NO STRANGER TO THE LIMELIGHT, THOUGH, OR IN DEMANDING THAT GOVERNMENT INTERVENE TO ENFORCE HIS SOCIAL AGENDA..."

   The paper also cited Pfleger's inability to persuade the Chicago Police Department to make an arrest, adding, "It was his complaint to Burke about the lack of enforcement that led to the alderman's demands for Springer's personal appearance at City Hall."

   Many city officials including Council members thought the hearings themselves were a bit absurd, mirroring what Mayor Richard Daley described as the "ridiculous" content of Springer's own program. In addition, there is evidence that Rev. Pfleger may not be accurate in his claim that charges or revelations of fakery would somehow derail the Ringmaster's show. In June, 1998 for instance, the syndicated entertainment news program "Extra" aired a report saying that many of the fights on the Springer program were staged. Rolling Stone Magazine hit the stands just a few days later with similar allegations. That didn't stop flagship stations including Chicago's WFLD-TV owned by Fox Broadcasting from then snatching up rights to the Springer Show, and even deciding to air it twice daily. Those who claim they arranged the fights seem to do so with tongue-in-cheek humor. A Canadian restaurant owner who reportedly staged a hoax on Springer three years ago declared that viewers likely didn't care, adding "You can tell who his audience is by who he's playing to... These people have just come from a fresh cockfight or a tractor pull."

   Back at the Chicago City Hall, the encounter between Springer and Ald. Burke was described as a "duel," with Burke tenaciously holding on like a pit bull and Springer declaring sarcastically, "I have never been a member of the Communist Party." Burke demanded to know Springer's salary, and the Ringmaster replied, "If you were a close friend, I would probably answer. But you are not acting very friendly now."

   "Is this a circus? Or is this a hearing?" asked Ald. Dorothy Tillman.

   After ninety minutes of verbal jousting, the questioning eventually got around to the "bogus or bona fide" issue. Are the fights staged? "Overwhelmingly, the show is real" Springer replied coyly, adding, "It looks real to me."

   On several occasions, Committee Chairman Ald. William Beavers had to intervene, and cut Mr. Burke short. Burke and Pfleger declared a victory of sorts, and the city solon promised that if fist fights and other altercations erupt on the Springer show, "we will be back here again."

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