Was Sandra Bullock Hoodwinked by Underhanded Oil Companies?

Crude oil isn't the only thing lingering under the surface in the Gulf Coast these days. Check out the mini-controversy surrounding the Be the One campaign, which enlisted New Orleans locals and celebrities -- including resident Sandra Bullock -- for a PSA promoting awareness in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Good cause, right? So why does Bullock suddenly want her name and likeness removed from the campaign?

According to The Huffington Post, it turns out the sponsors of the ad -- a post-Katrina advocacy group called Women of the Storm -- have sponsors of their own at the America's WETLAND Foundation. And the America's WETLAND Foundation is supported in large by major oil companies like Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and, naturally, BP, which remains on the hook for cleaning up the worst oil spill in American history.

Enter the Be the One campaign -- along with its glitzy celeb roster also including Dave Matthews, Harry Connick Jr., John Goodman, Emeril Lagasse, Drew Brees and Eli and Peyton Manning -- to encourage viewers to "be the one" to sign a petition that will urge leaders to find a solution to this "national problem." Oh, and the one for "pelicans," "shipping" and a "day at the beach."

So confused! Just tell me what you want!

Anyway, Bullock wasn't waiting around to find out, issuing the following statement with her request to be removed from the campaign's materials.

Ms. Bullock was originally contacted through her attorney to be a part of the PSA in order to promote awareness of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. At no time was she made aware that any organization, oil company or otherwise had influence over Women of the Storm or its message. We have immediately asked for her participation in the PSA be removed until the facts can be determined. Her commitment to the Gulf region has been apparent for many years and she will continue to pursue opportunities that will bring awareness and support to the plight of the Gulf region.

An AWF senior adviser, meanwhile, insists her Foundation's campaign wants a wetlands-restoration commitment from the government, not a commitment for taxpayers to pick up the tab for the spill itself. That's kind of the same thing at this point, of course, but as the adviser adds: "We want BP to pay every damn penny that they should be paying and more." With stars walking off the case in another torrent of bad press, however, you might as well go ahead and few more pennies to the tab.

· Wetlands Front Group Funded by Big Oil Wants Taxpayers to Foot the Bill for BP's Gulf Destruction [Huffington Post]

· EXCLUSIVE: Sandra Bullock Disowns BP-Backed Greenwashing Campaign [Think Progress via NYT]