Well, besides the incident with Alderaan, we never see the "oppression" of the Empire. We just know they're bad because of blowing up a planet but besides fighting the Rebellion (and eliminating the Jedi in the PT), what is actually shown about how the Empire actually treats the populace? Everyone cheers at the end of the saga and that shows that the galaxy thinks its a good thing that the Emperor is finished. Everyone runs around screaming when they hear that the Empire has taken control of Cloud City, so that shows that they are very very afraid of the implications of an Imperial occupation. It reminds me of how afraid the denizens of Mos Eisley were when the few troops were moving down the alleyways. So, I'm all for blowing up a few fleeing ships. Shows that they don't F around. Anything to make the Empire more menacing is okay in my book. When I think of how the PT and the Clone Wars makes the stormtroopers so badass, its disappointing to see how inept they become in the OT. I'd like to feel a little afraid for our main heroes and others like we do aboard the Tantive IV. When they blew through that door and started mowing the Alderaanian guard to shreds, you could feel that these folks were about to get slaughtered. But at Hoth, you feel the menace from the walkers but when the snowtroopers come in they get clobbered by one little gun from the Falcon (that seems to be on automatic).

So, my two cents is, the more menace felt from the Empire, the better. But, if people are so against it, at least have a few cloud cars pulled over by a TIE fighter and show him writing the pilot a speeding ticket.