The fire storm engulfing shock jock Don Imus couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy. When he and his executive producer of "Imus in the Morning" traded racially disparaging quips about the Rutgers University women's basketball team last week, the veteran radio host had no idea that three decades of bad karma were about to catch up with him.

It's been a long time since Don Imus has been accountable for anything said on his show. He's traded in misogyny, bigotry and sexism for decades. Boycotts were either short-lived or only threatened. Yet his corporate masters are well aware that his ratings on MSNBC are up 35 percent in the last year.

On Monday, Don Imus' improbable luck and insulation from the consequences of his words finally ran out. Both MSNBC and the CBS radio network suspended him for two weeks for his racially inflammatory comments about the women's basketball team.

The host responded in ways that are uncharacteristic for him. He has apologized profusely. He has asked to meet with the athletes, their parents and their coach to apologize. In a gracious gesture, the young women have agreed.

A two-week suspension isn't enough to redeem Don Imus, however; if he changes the style and content of his show, that will be real penance. We don't expect Don Imus' bosses to fire him -- they make too much money off his trash-talk act. But maybe he'll think twice before crossing the line of common decency again. If so, we will owe the Rutgers women our thanks.