It doesn’t count if I’m quoting someone. My only objection to emoticons is using them as my own words. Also see:
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/sem-and-security#post-534639
and
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/sem-and-security/page/2#post-538772
I don’t think I usually leave out the emoticons when quoting; I think I leave them out if they serve no important purpose, or if I am deliberately attempting to make the quote mean something other than its original intended meaning.
I’m glad you’re not really apologizing.