So tell me, is two names United States, or any US state's law, or is it just a common assumption?

Do programmers routinely look up the law for common assumptions? I'm guessing no.

And by the way, the tone of your responses in this thread is the first time in my years of HN participation (under various user names) that I've wished for a plonk file. Everything you've said has the core of a relevant argument, wrapped in condescension.