We all remember the old story when the press asked Lucas in 2004 why he didn’t just release the original films alongside the Special Editions:

“The special edition, that’s the one I wanted out there,”

“The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it… to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore. It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be.”

So were is this completed film, has anyone seen it yet? He's at least sorry that we fell in love with a "half completed film." There's no riddle that hate surrounds this mans actions, ever since that statement he has continually provoked old fans of his and film enthusiasts. It's great that the NYTimes article paints us as ungrateful childs and enemies, and totally miss the point.

I think what zombie pointed out is one of the main issues we're not taken seriously, those who continue to buy every new product and go and see them multiple times and then endlessly bitch about it. The issue is that the original films aren't restored, not that Vader screams Nooooo in the latest edit of Jedi. But I guess it's also more complicated than that, as it is the only product available in modern format, and not everyone has the disinterest or power to stay away from it. It kind of goes hand in hand.

As Mike.O said, this Lucas' insanity is not only about SW, THX 1138 is more severily altered than any Star Wars film. The original theatrical cuts and 1978 re-releases of THX 1138 and American Graffiti are suppressed. This clearly displays a man that is totally hell-bent on gettin rid of all the original work of his and at the same time he is on the board of directors for The Film Foundation.