I kind of agree that the message system is a bit bothersome. I'm not too fond of it, especially since I prefer to have communicatins in the game rather than by mail (adds an aspect of uncertanity and slower diplomacy to the game).
I think JK is more of a mail person and is of the opinion that you can communicate better with mail and that the message system is a minimum to use by those who doesn't know how to use mail
. He is also not too inclined to make a texteditor , since it is quite a lot of work compared to write a simple string, as I believe it is atm.
Regarding the battle reports on sieges. Since attacks on castles are executed in a different manner, a battle report would demand that JK writes new code (not just copies) for the report IIRC. This is doable, and might happen, but probably not with the next patch.
Regarding the next patch, it will be mostly stuff I have made, since JK is in India for half a month more, and then he's back to his ordinary daytime job. Thus mostly simple bugfixes and balance issues (stuff that I can handle) and two new nations, EA Fomoria and LA Pythium. Perhaps a map, but my map project is too grand scale to become finished (if I'm realistic).