There is a difference in the goal of the changes. The 04 and 11 changes were mostly done to tie the OT to the PT. The 97 changes, while IMO completely inexcusable, were not done for that reason. So if you're cool with certain kinds of vandalism, there is a difference in kind where the 97 version is different.

Also, from a restoration POV, the 97 versions contain some useful scenes that were subsequently altered, and the colors and audio hadn't yet been destroyed, all of which are useful for re-creating the real films.

Also, FWIW, full disclosure, I like one 97 change. I like that James Earl Jones got a credit for voicing Vader. The rest was crap.