This argument will continue for ages. People just need to come to grips with the fact that Lucas is a perfectionist, when it comes to his films...whether he's right or wrong in the eyes of the fanbase. He wants them how he wants them and that's his right to do so.
And I say again, he didn't alter the story where the characters, plot, and themes are unrecognizable. When he does that, then I can see the fanbase argument about the Special Editions.
It's not like anyone of us wouldn't do the same thing, if we were in his position and we felt that we could improve on our art...