That's what SEAL teams do. SEALs, Marines (SEAL trained), Rangers, Delta Force, and Special Forces are trained to rescue ANY American at any opportune time. They dedicate their lives to that purpose, no matter how many may die. We lost much of SEAL Team 6 to go in and rescue trapped military and a couple civilians. Still not sure that was the best move to put them all on one helo, but then I wasn't the commander.
They are ready to die first and fight to the last no matter what the mission. If it takes two teams to rescue one American, I back the mission.
They are the military equivalent of SWAT. Give your life to save lives. I can't possibly have a higher regard for their basic mission.
IMHO, this mission was “in the can” for at least days if not weeks. Obama’s State of the Union team probably asked around via military liasons if there were any cool ops coming up soon. “Well, we do have a few we’re working on...”
After that, when told of some hostage in Somalia and a SEAL Team ready to snatch them, the timing was probably up to the White House. No way do I believe that the rescue just “happened” to occur in perfect timing to be announced by Obama at the SOTU address.
Two SEALs vs. 16 regular police SWAT (I mean non-military) isn't a fair fight.