Yes, because that quote link was manually entered.  Try to "quote" via the quote button a post that has been deleted - SMF won't pull it up.  I originally had generic quote tags around it and had to go back and add who it was from, since it wouldn't make any sense otherwise within the context, AFTER Garr reposted the same text.  

Here's the original quote HTML:


And the original post link:


Now go test it for yourself, post a message, pull it up in a  browser, delete it and then try to quote it.  You'll get nothing and you'll have to do it manually.  As in the other thread, I'll even let Maged remote into my machine and examine the still open browser window.