Dan Rather’s Shoddy Sendoff

After 44 years with CBS, Dan Rather missed out on any fanfare or even a going away party, when his office was cleaned out.

And the veteran anchorman certainly didn?t get a gold watch.

Rather?s departure came abruptly and quietly, whichhad some people mixing criticism in with the tributes.

Rather, NBC’s Tom Brokaw and ABC’sPeter Jenningswere the faces beamed in America’s living rooms.

And Rather was often the first on the ground at a breaking news story.

?Dan Rather was one of the great reporters of his time,? CBS colleague Bob Schieffer said.

“He wore CBS on his sleeve, so, this is truly an end of an era for Dan and CBS News,? Tom Brokaw said.

But new “Today Show” host Meredith Vieira called the way thatCBS handled Dan Rather?s leaving?tacky? and Brian Williams said: ?No one likes to see a run like this end on such a bad note.?

CBS and Rather could not come to terms and with the hiring of Katie Couric and Anderson Cooper to put together pieces for ?60 Minutes,? Rather was left with little to do.

So, Rather decided to leave before his contract expires in November. In a simple statement, the veteran newsman said: ?It just isn?t in me to sit around doing nothing.?

Judging by Rather?s prolific 44-year career with CBS News, we can understand what he meant.

Rather was the first to report the tragic news of President Kennedy?s assignation from Dallas.

Through Vietnam, Chicago, Watergate, Berlin and as the evening anchor for 24 years, Dan Rather was the heart and soul of CBS News.