No, the argument: what you are saying hurts me - therefore please stop. It seems so clear cut in the case of a racist word but the argument in itself isn't logical. Of course one should always apologise for the hurt, but not all victims are in the right and there seems to be a knee-jerk reaction around which protects any 'minority'(am thinking of recent reports in Searchlight about libel cases brought by the BNP etc.). Worries me, is all! I would personally regard the word 'miscegenation' as sufficiently value-loaded to warrant an explanation along with its use. It is also the incorrect word to use about e.g. elves and wizards (they are surely separate species), just as 'interracial' is. Both would only apply to wizards/mudblood wizards. I'm not even certain they could be used for wizards/muggles. Bestiality would also be incorrect as it connotes a difference in level of intelligence. None of them are value-free. Perhaps the entire concept isn't value-free in terms of humans. But we still need to be able to talk/write about it.

I suspect most writers about werewolves, vampires, etc. just fudge the issues and refrain from diving into controversy. I can't find a suitable alternative word!! Having said that, words are often acceptable or unacceptable according to context, which is a kind of motivation, so if I saw the word 'miscegenation' in a fantasy novel, I would reach for the red pen on definition grounds but wouldn't worry about the connotations!

As for the media, Bush, etc., my terrorist is your freedom fighter and so on. But it would help if people were willing to talk these things through properly!! I don't suppose the comm mods will read your post!