We need a better way of disseminating information about emergency situations on this site. In the last month or so we've had revolutions, two earthquakes, a Tsunami, and potentially a nuclear meltdown. We need to accept that in such situation the Daily Kos offers both political commentary, and serves as a clearing house for information. Having to hunt for motherships and liveblogs risks impairing the flow of information, and potentially loosing vital information in the shuffle. I would like to suggest that this site consider the following policy for placing motherships in the community spotlight section
Policy: The Daily Kos is a website dedicated to discussion of politics in the United States of America. The Daily Kos does not formally involve itself with the internal politics of foreign states. When it becomes apparent that a situation in a foreign country exists in such that coverage on this site may aid in the preservation of life, liberty, property, or the reunification of displaced or separated persons the administrators of this site may, at their sole discretion, expand any of the following policies to cover international situation.
In the event of major domestic emergency the Daily Kos will place a mothership dealing with said emergency into the community spotlight section and leave it their for at least the following amounts of time.
Domestic Protests: Will not automatically be added to the community spotlight as there should be any number of diaries about them.
Domestic Riots/Major Violence: Will be listed in the community spotlight while ongoing and for 24 hours thereafter.
Domestic Insurrection/Civil War/Coup: Well I hope we never have to use this policy. Insurrections that appear serious, not simply in the overheated imaginations of a couple crazies, will be listed until clearly resolved.
Domestic Natural/Man-Made Disasters: Will be listed while rescue (though not recovery) efforts continue and for 24 hours thereafter. For oil spills or other environmental disasters spotlight status will remain until 24 hours after primary cleanup operations end. (Yes this does mean that oil spill motherships can go on for weeks).
Domestic Evacuations: If widespread will be listed until 24 to 48 hours after the evacuation order ends.
Domestic Predictable Disasters: Mostly hurricanes, will be placed in community spotlight at least 48 hours out of any predicted landfall on the Continental U.S., and will remain up for 24 hours thereafter. (So a Hurricane would remain listed from 48 hours out through landfall until the lifting of any evacuation orders).
International Disasters with Transnational Implications: Will be added to Community Spotlight until resolved. Some examples of these include plagues, nuclear meltdowns, and use of weapons of mass destruction.