Local static variables must have unique names within a function's scope.

[tipdbmp]

> Mostly, it's just a bad idea - it's very easy for a person 
> reading the code after you've written it to get the two x's 
> mixed up.

// example from: 19.17.1.3
void main()
{
     { static int x; }
     { static int x; } // error
     { int i; }
     { int i; } // ok
}

I don't really see how the 'static' storage class would make 2 
variables with the same name in different scopes "easier to mix 
up" compared to 2 variables with the same name in different 
scopes but declared without the 'static' keyword.