Rather deserves to go out in disgrace because he disgraced himself, his network and the practice of journalism by sacrificing the TRUTH to his own political agenda.
Even now, at this late date, Dan Rather should go on live TV and admit that he was wrong, that he compromised his network and his audience, and ask forgiveness -- of his audience, his fellow employees, and the President. If he did that, he could retire with honor.
As it is, he deserves to be humiliated and tossed out unceremoniously, and everyone at CBS knows it. Dan brought it on himself. He should either be a man and own his actions, or expect to be reviled.
I would love for him to go on Brit Hume's show and spill everything.