Spot on Peter and thank you for saying what you did.
I also think highly of the man and hope this is simply a rumor.
There is always going to be limits on what someone can do and it is my belief he has done whatever he could whenever he could and for that I am grateful.
As far as the stone throwers I'd just ask that you (honestly) put yourself in the same position and ask yourself if you could do any better. Methinks few--if any--could. Falling on your sword over everything and going out in a blaze of glory in the first week doesn't count. We all know how things work here. While I see many far worse that could be in the job I see none better. Would this be true and an indication of things to come, for those willing and able it would be an excellent indicator it's time to look for employment elsewhere.