So you thought that only the network news caters to the infirm, incontinent, and impotent—i.e., the elderly? Get a load of this:

The median age of Fox News viewers is 63, compared with 60 for CNN and 56 for MSNBC, according to Nielsen.

I’m glad Roger Ailes and Jon Klein are jousting about their respective networks, though:

Says Klein: “The unfortunate thing about Fox’s 10th anniversary is that most of their viewers aren’t going to be around for their 20th.”

Returning the shot, an FNC rep says Klein “should be more concerned with keeping his job in the next year than speculating about our audience in the next 10.”

I’ve been marveling at the intransigence of Hamas,

as detailed by the BBC:

In the heat and dust of a packed Gaza City football stadium, the Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader, Ismail Haniya, ended his latest big speech with a familiar promise.

He told the gathered masses again that Hamas would not recognise Israel - and they roared their approval.

And Hamas leaders do seem to believe that they can both retain their hard line on Israel and hold on to at least a share of power.

Hamas is under intense international and domestic pressure to moderate on the crucial recognition issue. …

But what is important is that at its highest levels, Hamas clearly believes that it can stick to its line on Israel, and still hope to split the West.

But that was before I read the “Ten Rules for Negoatiations in the Middle Eastern Bazaar”:

Never suggest anything to the other side. Let the other side present its suggestions first.

Always reject; disagree. Use the phrase “doesn’t meet our minimum demands,” and walk away, even 100 times. The tough customers get the good prices.

Don’t be hasty to come up with counter-offers. There will always be time for that. Let the other side make amendments under pressure of your total “disappointment.” Patience is the name of the game: “Haste is from Satan!”

Have your own plan ready in full, as detailed as possible, with the “red lines” completely defined. Weigh the other side’s suggestions against this plan.

Never change your detailed plan to meet the other side “half-way.” Remember, there is no “half-way.” The other side also has a master plan. Be ready to quit negotiations when you encounter stubbornness on the other side.

Never leave things unclear. Always avoid “creative phrasing” and “creative ideas” - which are exactly what your Arab opponent wants. Remember that the Arabs are masters of language, and playing with words is the Arab national sport. As in the bazaar, always talk dollars and cents.

Always bear in mind that the other side will try to outsmart you by portraying major issues as unimportant details. Treat every detail as vitally important.

Emotion belongs neither in the market nor at the negotiating table. Friendly words, outbursts of anger, holding hands, kissing, touching cheeks and embracing should not be taken to represent policy.

Beware of popular beliefs about the Arabs and the Middle East - e.g., “Arab honor.” Never do or say anything because somebody told you it is “the custom.” If the Arab side finds out you are playing the anthropologist, it will take advantage.

Always remember that the goal of all negotiations is to make a profit, and aim at making the biggest profit in real terms. Remember that every gain is an asset for the future, because there is always likely to be “another round.”