Since Splinter of the Mind's Eye in 1978, Star Wars has been a player in media other than the films. With the release of the so-called "Thrawn Trilogy" in 1991 it evolved into an entire universe of sagas within the saga.

While GL himself accepts his films only and considers the EU an offshoot (which is just fine), to me and many others the EU is not just an essential part of being a Star Wars fan, it's a fundamental part.

For those of you old enough to remember, in those years leading up to the 1997 Special Edition all there was was the EU. It was the heart and soul of Star Wars, the driving force. As it was between the prequels, especially during the period of the Clone Wars when an important part of the saga was told entirely through the EU.

Yet some people deny the EU and even go as far as to bash it and its supporters. I can't understand it. It's really beyond my comprehension.

Many times I'll be in a thread having a debate and one of those "you can't use EU facts in the debate" types crops up. I just leave because I don't have the patience and I know it'll turn into an off-topic debate on the legitimacy of the EU.

Saying I can't use the EU is like having a debate on D-Day where I can only discuss and speculate based on what is seen in the film "Saving Private Ryan" and nothing else. What's the point?

I guess it's not for everyone, and that's fine. But for some people, they can't understand what's so good about the EU. Is it because there's so much and they can't keep up? Or is it a genuine hatred of all things EU?

If you consider yourself anti-EU, consider this:

-If you've ever read a Star Wars book (even a novelization of a film) you've experienced the EU

-If you've ever read a Star Wars comic, you've experienced EU

-"Played a Star Wars video game?" Yep, that's EU too.

-"What about the Clone Wars cartoons?" EU all the way.

-"The upcoming TV series? That can't be EU, because it's from GL." Sorry, that's EU too.

If you've ever done any of the above, you've experienced EU. Even much of what's in SW Insider could be considered EU. So if you're an EU hater, think about it.

Remember above all that the EU is take-it-or-leave-it. Some parts you might not like or agree with. But you have the freedom to ignore them; you have the freedom not to experience them. Like I've said in the past, the EU is like a salad bar: take what you want and leave the rest. But you can also come back later for more, and the salad bar will be restocked with new stuff.

I encourage you to experience the EU, and not hate it.

Tell me how glorious I am for defending the EU or how I'm vile and wretched for accepting it.