I’m all for free speech and admire men who have the courage to boldly expose lies, especially the lies of celebrity politicians. But there’s something seriously wrong in America when a congressman thinks it’s OK to yell “You lie!” at the president of the United States during a nationally televised address to Congress.

That’s exactly what Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., did tonight when President Obama made his health-care pitch to Congress. Wilson breached congressional decorum and showed an utter lack of respect for the office of the presidency with his outburst. He should be ashamed, and he should apologize.

Conservatives rightly decried President Bush’s critics for eight years when they acted like children — booing him at baseball games, throwing shoes at him, and chanting “Na-na-na-nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye” as he left Washington for the last time — and that wasn’t before a joint session of Congress and a national TV audience.

Wilson’s pointed verbal jab at the president is far from the worst breach of decorum in congressional history, but it was an embarrassing display of unsportsmanlike conduct in the political arena. Wilson set a lousy example for Americans who already are angry about Obama’s intrusive policies on health care, energy and more.

UPDATE: Wilson has apologized.

“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill,” he said in a statement. “While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”

Good for him. It’s too bad that Bush bashers never showed any remorse for their behavior.