Breakthrough reached!

..although final negotiations or still going on, it looks like a historic breakthrough has been reached. after more than two years debating the issue in the relevant subcomitee, it seems that the final arguments are being resolved. sources tell us that within a week the bill declaring Aluminum (Al) the national metal and as a further compromise by republicans holdouts, choosing Nitrogen as the national halogen.

"this is nothing less than historic" another source explains. "after years of endless arguments, we are finally able to vote on this important symbolic matter. excuse the pun. "

when asked if the descision had ressistance along partisan line, the source said that while there were indeed some partisan issues, mostly the contention over thr choice itself. "some think that we should have a differentbmetal, say titanium or palladium. others would not hear of nitrogen , choosing instead fluorine, or helium. "

once the bill is voted on, and hopefully passed into law, it would join other national symbols, like the national bird, flower, anthem etc. on a related note, the subcomitee for national symbols is now considering schedualing hearings into a much needed national wallpaper.