Well, exactly, terms like "mini-IR" are completely unhelpful. It comes down to the privileges. The choice one is left with is whether
(a) an IMC Rated pilot should be allowed to exercise his privileges, or
(b) an IMC Rated pilot should not be allowed to exercise his privileges
There appears to be a group of traditionalists who believe in (b) but they never offer good reasons.
As a general rule (not just aviation) I believe that privileges should not be curtailed unless there is a good reason for it, and there is NO evidence that the IMC Rating is causing any harm. The holders can't mix it with the "big boys" (as someone derogatorily put it earlier) in the airways, and elsewhere it is pretty much a "PPL free for all" anyway. I bet that far more hassle is caused by basic PPL holders who cannot navigate than by IMC Rated pilots flying less than perfect holds, etc.
The IMC Rating is largely wasted, but that's a whole different subject. One could say exactly the same thing about the basic PPL. Most of them get chucked in too, after couple of years of negligible currency. So, should we curtail or abolish the PPL, just because most holders don't do much with it?