Has anyone discovered any further information as to whether the "12" have personal political aspirations or ties to groups that do?
How were these 12 brought together for the op-ed?
FWIW, I googled for Jason Blindauer and came up with what looks like a forum for exchanging military photographs. One of them is below, but as you can see the AP photo no longer seems to be in place. You can get the details by right clicking for properties on the red x. Not sure if this will be helpful.
A military adviser to the Iraqi Army, U.S. Army Captain Jason Blindauer of Sidney, Ohio, listens to Iraqi Brigadier General Najin al-Ekabi during Operation Lightning in the Latifiyah District of Southern Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, June 4, 2005. Now in its seventh day, Operation Lightning is meant to secure Baghdad by deploying 40,000 Iraqi security personnel. (AP Photo/Jacob Silberberg)