heheh,...
Nah I actually honestly think that - although you have raised a valid point - it is the responsibility of the people that quote a post, to quote with the same care as they should take when they post the text that goes with it.
So.. no spam allowed, right?
And keeping images attached that are not necessary for the quote..could be, technically, considered spamming then.
There are even forums where I have been, that have banned people for continuesly quoting without removing the original images. After due warning ofcourse.
Now, it's not a major 'forum crime' as far as I am concerned.... heh.. people that don't know about it, can be adviced about it, for future reference, and might pick up this habit that way..
But once someone knows.. then it is up to the quoter to be responsible about what is in his post, and the quote IS in his post, images and all. (..or her post, obviously)
That way the images can just stay as the original poster intended them to be.. not with some ugly (my opinion anyway) quote box attached to it.
If you personally don't mind, and you choose this method, then it WILL save time, and effort. I do grant you that. So the more people would do it, the better. But me personally, I wouldn't, nor would I see it become a protocol of sorts.
Cheers!
Fred.