I am so tired of not being able to understand "what is important" from a news "report." Or rather, I hate feeling like there is so much more going on in a story, and the reporters and editors who bring me information just can't be bothered to find out what that is. Tell me what I am to understand from this very mixed blurb:

By NATASHA T. METZLER
WASHINGTON (AP) - American support for the fledgling Iraqi government is not unconditional, and Iraq should expect changes in the U.S. role, incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Saturday.

"In the days ahead, the Iraqis must make the tough decisions and accept responsibility for their future," Hoyer, D-Md., said during the weekly Democratic radio address. "And the Iraqis must know: Our commitment, while great, is not unending."

Hoyer's comments were taped Wednesday, before an escalation in sectarian violence in Iraq. At least 215 Shiites were killed in bomb and mortar attacks Thursday in Sadr City. Shiites retaliated Friday by burning six Sunni Arabs alive and killing 19 others in attacks on Sunni mosques.
Once in power, Hoyer said, the Democrats hope to work with Republicans and the Bush administration to change direction in Iraq war plans, "because, clearly, the current strategy is not working."

Democrats will also seek to reach across the aisle to accomplish their other goals. One of their first priorities, Hoyer said, is to pass lobbying and ethics reform.
"We will restore civility and integrity to our legislative process, and transparency and accountability to our government," he said.

Other Democratic goals in the new Congress include:
_Increasing the minimum wage.
_Enacting the Sept. 11 Commission's security recommendations.
_Allowing the government to negotiate drug prices for Medicare patients.
_Cutting energy industry tax breaks.
_Lowering financial hurdles for access to higher education.

"Democrats pledge to address the concerns and issues that affect the lives of working families," Hoyer said.

Now, granted, I could go a find a transcript of the Democratic weekly radio address myself, but it seems Hoyer's speech isn't up yet. Fine, it's a holiday week. But that's what I'd like to be able to count on my press for: a little background, a link to the actual transcript, some details. You know, the kind of thing working people are expected to do at their jobs if they want to get paid and not fired. This AP article tells me nothing.

Getting to the details: so what is the Democratic plan, exactly? Is it Hoyer's, or does the whole party share one? What is the significance of this speech in the context of Thursday's bloody spectacle of violence, and would that news change what he or Democrats plan to do? What debate has there been about the Democratic plan, by whom, and when? How can the Iraqis prove they are ready for "responsibility?" What is the "end" to our "commitment?" How does Hoyer define "working with" Republicans, specifically, and why is the next sentence about ethics reform? Why is the list of Democratic priorities included in this article, and how does that list have an impact on the strategy being formed (with Republicans? or not?) about Iraq?

You get my drift.

I suppose an AP blurb article isn't meant to provide any context or background, but I don't see why that has to be. I come away with so little that is new or useful from this piece, other than Hoyer talked and some reporter took down the barest of details. What I do get: a repeat of the Democratic Dog Whistles of "bipartisanship" and "civility" and Hoyer's commitment to working with Bush and the Republicans. Which, given the stubborness of this administration, can only suggest to me that Hoyer can be counted on to cave in, stay Bush's course, adapt to the Republican way, and otherwise blame the victims in Iraq for inevitable US failures brought about by that process.

Am I wrong? Well, how would I know? It's not like there is any substance here which would help me better understand Hoyer or his intent.