名人教英文：从拉布战谈critical reading (3)
小女早前在《南华早报》撰文指出，拉布战窒碍立法进程，这种损人不利己的做法却是反对派的理性选择。议员缺乏提出法案的权力，难以发挥具建设性的作用，唯有集中精力抨击政府的法案。最终，政府提案堆积如山，两方民望均受损：
given that our lawmakers' lack of legislative initiative (提案权) limits the possibility for more constructive approaches, the result is mutual destruction (两败俱伤) in the form of a filibuster (拉布). this outcome is bad for everyone: the government's pipeline of proposals is halted while lawmakers on both sides suffer drops in popularity.
政府若单靠建制派和公务员，拒绝和其他党派合作，就难免立法会瘫痪事件重演：
the government may be tempted to believe that it can refuse co-operation and rely on pro-establishment voters and its generally competent (能干的) stock of civil servants, but the recent paralysis (瘫痪) of legco proves otherwise. although the government has become more aware of its public image over the past year, it still struggles with the democratic concept of power-sharing. however, can it survive the eccentricities (怪异之处) of our political system on its own, without the partnership of lawmakers?
除非官员乐于彻夜开会，否则必须与议员合作：
if recent events are any indication for the future, the answer is no. that is, unless officials want to spend many more hours imprisoned in the legco chamber, which increasingly resembles (像) a slumber party (睡衣派对) except completely stripped of (去掉) fun. fortunately, in iterated games (重复赛局), players are advised to quickly forgive each other and collaborate in pursuit of (寻求) the optimal (最优的) outcome.
"the answer is no" 响应上一段的问题，指出政府不能独自克服这个奇特政治制度所带来的管治困难。iterated games是博弈理论的概念。对弈者因要重复参与赛局，所以每次行动时会考虑到对手将来的行为。为免对方报复，双方会渐渐学懂合作。the optimal outcome不是让某一方获得最大得益，而是在不损害任何一方利益的前提下寻求进步：
compromises (妥协) mean that no one will win, but no one will lose either. and, as a result, the people will gain two valuable groups of public servants who can work together for public good. most importantly, we can all be freed from the purgatory (炼狱) of indecision (议而不决) that is the current state of the legislature and adjourn (延后) the damn meeting.
critical reading要求读者掌握作者立场，大家可用这篇文章为例，分析笔者对事件各方的看法。