The Special Editions aren't Star Wars, they are impostors. The prequels aren't Star Wars either, they are relatives of the impostors trying to tag along for the ride. As such, hating them doesn't even remotely dampen my enthusiasm for Star Wars, because they are unrelated.

Very much this.

!!

um...so if I did the math correctly, you...weren't here from 1977-1983!?

[tears welling, lower lip quivering] please tell me that was typo. its inconceivable that you missed the glory years!!

Hey, I wasn't born until 1984 either. Too young to have seen them in the theatres, unfortunately, but old enough to have watched them at home many times before the SE's came along. Too young to have seen GL's transgressions for what they really were until I grew up, but old enough to have a strong memory of what was to fall back on once the disillusionment set in. Both old and young enough to love the real Star Wars for all time.