All the people outraged about the Mississippi bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America’’ have missed its satirical intent, the sponsor said Thursday.

State Rep. Steve Holland, a populist Democrat known for over-the-top gestures, said he was tickled that his provocation had rocketed across the Internet.

Holland says the measure is meant to mock other bills that would crack down on illegal immigration. At least six such bills have already been assigned for committee consideration in the state’s current legislative session, and more could be on the way.

“It seems the people of Mississippi have elected a majority group to govern that wants to slam all minorities and especially Hispanic,’’ Holland said, adding that he thought such legislation is un-Christian.

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Because lawmakers would never do anything to waste everyone's time.