On March 12, 2013, NSA Director James Clapper appeared before Congress. Sen. Ron Wyden asked Clapper whether the NSA or the government collected any data on Americans. Clapper answered. "No, not wittingly".
This was a lie, and Gen. Clapper knew it. As did Sen Wyden, as he serves on the Senate Intelligence committee and had direct knowledge of PRISM, and the massive data collection of cell phone records.
Here it the direct link to Clappers criminal conduct:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwiUVUJmGjs&feature=youtu.be&t=6m9s
Whether this massive spy operation is necessary or not is a matter of debate. What is not a matter of debate is that government officials cannot lie to the American people. We cannot have the necessary debate when we are lied to. Clapper must be prosecuted.