First, it’s good that the Seals freed Captain Philips, and yes that Obama finally gave the go ahead a near 48 hours after Philips was taken hostage.

“WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama twice authorized the military to rescue a U.S. captain who was being held by Somali pirates and whose life appeared to be at risk, administration officials said after Sunday’s rescue.

The Defense Department twice asked Obama for permission to use military force to rescue Capt. Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast. Obama first gave permission around 8 p.m. Friday, and upgraded it at 9:20 a.m. Saturday. Officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations said the second order was to encompass more military personnel and equipment that arrived in the Indian Ocean to engage the pirates.

Somali pirates last week boarded the Maersk Alabama off the Horn of Africa. The crew fought back, but Phillips surrendered himself to safeguard his men. Navy ships soon were on their way to the area.

White House officials on Sunday said Obama received regular updates by phone and in person at the White House — including 11 memos — and during his daily intelligence briefings with senior officials. The National Security Council last updated the president on a contingency plan for Phillips at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a timeline of events released Sunday afternoon by the White House.

The president was in the residence Sunday when officials called him to alert him the five-day standoff was over, officials said.”

But why the delay? And why not when Philips was spotted by a Navy drone trying to escape on Friday? The Navy could have executed the rescue during the escape but could not get an OK via a source close to the action.

So action is better than no action, I wouldn’t call this anything but a dangerous indication that President Obama – in a crisis – is slow to action.