Where multiple scoop sites can link together via mutual agreement (maybe have a voting system of some sort among the existing members to accept new members), then every member can receive "global stories" (although they still have to be voted in by each site.

Also, for galaxy-wide stories, let comments be posted from across the galaxy, posters would appear as [Username@SiteId] in comment and article postings.

Let moderation be applied at each site independently, so Joe@k5's post might be rated a 2 on k5 while rated a 1 elsewhere, or asite might choose to average in the net ratings according to all the other sites if they like that policy.

Also have to have devices like "blacklist site/ip/user XXX" from posting queues/stories here from somewhere else in the galaxy

I think connections between sites should be explicit and understood by the site admins.. the options certainly shouldn't be "Be completely independent" or "be connected to all the other scoop sites in the world".

Moreover, all sites should be peers IMO, no "central server" that can impose an independent will on all members.

Syndicated articles should not be part of the 'local' moderation queue, but part of a separate 'syndie mod queue'. Users can vote on which syndied articles should get locally posted.

I was ahead of my time :)

Here's a link to my / dram's comments. Here's another suggestion, one I think that would be really cool. If you're interested, the article along with discussion is here.