getrawtransaction will return non-wallet transaction, and you can decode the output with decoderawtransaction
It does not for spent transactions in GIT, and won't by default (at least, and probably not at all) in 0.8.
I have to agree with this. Having bitcoind be a platform that enables other developers and service providers to leverage the "low level plumbing" done by developers with superior knowledge of the "quirks" of the protocol (i.e. Gavin et al) allows it to pay dividends.
Echoing what Jeff said agreement isn't what will make a difference here, working on it will. Even if you don't have the time or background to contribute specifically the features you want contributing to testing will help get more done. (We appear to be primarily testing constrained, as we'd like to advance the level of software quality in the reference client but have a large preexisting deficit)
For the most part thoughts like this aren't "no don't!" they're "sure, that sounds like a fine idea
someday when someone has time" and anyone technically sophisticated enough to find bitcoin and post in the form can probably do something to help that someday come about a bit sooner.