About Security Council intervention in Georgia?

OK, I'm deeply perplexed. Mr. Obama has called for us to ask for Security Council intervention in Georgia. But Russia is on the Security Council, and they have a veto. They've demonstrated time and time again that they aren't afraid to use it. Now, Mr. Obama is surely not an inexperienced fool, so he must have a reason. What possible use would asking for a Security Council resolution be when it's doomed to failure from the start?