Does Tenure Accomplish Anything Positive?

I don't agree with Candace de Russy's NRO piece:

But — barring evidence of violations such as academic or resume fraud — boards such as UC's Regents should not fire Churchill, and not only because punitive action taken by a government appointed body against a public employee, on grounds of even the most vicious and intellectually nugatory speech, would set a dangerous precedent.

If I brought public disgrace upon the company I work for, I'd be canned. Period.

So why is it that intellectual mediocrities like Ward Churchill have six-figure jobs for life?

Abolishing tenure would improve the quality of instruction and bring some accountability to the academy for once. What is gained by having somebody spout off like Churchill did and retain their job?

Tenure simply enshrines mediocrity.

And for those of you worried about the lack of tenure protection for conservative academics, do the math. Conservatives don't get hired in the first place, don't get tenure even when hired, and if they do somehow attain tenure, the administration finds a way to ease them out anyhow.

The only people who should have jobs guaranteed for life are head coaches for the Pittsburgh Steelers.