In an Aug. 4 post, Streetwise Professor noted that, for a number of reasons, Russia lacked much of what was needed for "effective firefighting" - "a good deal of contingency planning," significant "investment in equipment," "excellent communications," and "trained personnel who can act on the spot in response to sudden developments" - and concluded: Not surprisingly, perhaps, the official response seems as much focused on appearing to be in charge and doing something, rather than actually being in charge and doing something.