Well, I for one find that color like this keeps me playing a game much much longer. I like plot, history, backstory... whatever you want to call it. I also think that it can provide strategically useful game information if done cleverly.
I can understand that... it does seem that it would be pretty easy to ignore a few lines of text in a scouting reporting though... if it doesn't interest you. I think the positive potential would be pretty significant.
I agree it would be worthwhile functionality to have added later, even if the guys decide they don't have the time to actually create descriptions for all of the maps that come with the game. It would be nice if they were able to illustrate one popular map with thematic text, but if they don't, it would still be nice to have the capability to do it to the maps we make.