I currently have my old 85 roadie (downtube shifters), my hardtail, and my SS setup wo the right brake lever activates the front brake. i think this is the "english" way, but i find it helps train me for motorcycle riding, and i feel i have more control with the right hand.

i am building up a new roadie with tiagra STI shifters. can you run the right lever to the front brake? is this considered a no-no in the STI world?

plus, is the us and canada the only two nations that do the right lever/rear brake setup? if so, any reason? is it the same reason some nations drive on the opposite side of the road as we do? that being no good reason?

Yes you can! I have it with 105 levers. It works great.

Actually, that's the way everybody else in the world does it.