We just all have distinct perspectives. We collect for different reasons and see the facts in a different light from another angle. Aestetically I don't like dead presidents either. It smacks of a personality cult and it becomes political rather than monetary or artistic. Once you start with politics it becomes difficult to extract politics. No matter how great a politician or a statesman there are some who won't like him and coins will rub his face into them everyday, as it were.
I share Cladking's enthusiasm for modern clads. In fact, I would take it a bit further. I'd be more excited to get to get a 1972D RDV-008 than I would for most of the classics. I collect many types of coins (classics and moderns), but the 56 - 72 quarter reverse die varieties are where my passion lies and are the first thing I look at. In fact, I forego other coins if I find one in that range that I need. I can get a 1909S VDB any time. That 72D would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Yes. A 1932 Washington is even better at fitting my definition but I'm not saying I collect ALL classic coins. I still dislike the design. I'm a libertarian when it comes to most things - do what you want and have fun. I always feel better around happy people. I just don't like the designs I listed above and the classification system I suggest is a separate topic.
I consider coins as a "series" and the series, to me, defines what is classic and what is modern. While a 1969-D or 1972-D Type H Reverse Washington are very rare, I never consider them "classic" coins simply because the design is too modern.
I must have expressed myself poorly. My comment regarding the type H quarters was more in response to the undercurrent that you (the collective you) collected one or the other. I collect in both arenas. I don't consider a Washington quarter to be a classic either, but I still would take the Type H over many of the classics. Sorry for the poor phrasing.