For Bob

Our Navy SEALS totally rock.

Update

From Blackfive:

This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage.
*****
He did affirm the military's authorization to use force if the captain's life was in danger, but they already would have had that authorization as part of their standard rules of engagement. If there are innocents about to be slaughtered the same reasoning that authorizes self defense also covers an imminent execution unless the ROE specifically forbid it.The AP is making it sound like there was an active rescue ordered by the President. It was not, there was an imminent threat and the local commander gave the order to fire. Good on Obama for ensuring their authorization was clear, but let's also be clear that he did not authorize or order an active rescue attempt.

With an extra heh from comments:

I am no Obama fan either. But, we know that at a minimum, he did not completely forbid "use of force". I take that as a good sign.

Frankly, this is the exact outcome I was hoping for: one freed captain and three dead tangos.

Come to think of it, this is the first person that Obama has freed. Now, he is only 59,999,999 behind Bush.