I don't think you all realize how hurtful it is to hear things like "it is just so awful for the dogs". Everyone I know who has cropped and docked their dogs are incredibly in love with their dogs and their breed... no less than you and I. Their dogs play, and work, and live a great life.
Just, keep in mind that there is a way to disagree with something without demonizing someone who made that choice themselves.
But acknowledging the level of pain, distress, and anxiety that is inherent in an elective surgical procedure is (or should be) part of what goes into making the decision to do it or not. I mean, honestly I think ear cropping IS kind of awful for the dogs, and personally I couldn't do it... the outcome/perceived benefit isn't worth it to me. But me saying that isn't the same as demonizing a person who made the choice to do it. It's just a different cost/benefit analysis for them.
Strong, hurtful opinions about topics ranging from vaccines to spay/neuter to diet to declaw are expressed on Chaz all the time, why is this particular topic verboten? I don't doubt that people who crop and dock love their dogs just as much as I love mine, just like I don't doubt that someone who feeds Old Roy or neuters their dog or vaccinates more often than I do loves their dogs just as much as I love mine. It just means everyone has different lines in the sand.
A judgment of the procedure isn't the same as a judgment of the person who chose to do it. People have reasons to do the procedures, the experience and recovery period is very short compared to the dog's lifetime, and most dogs don't have any mental or physical long term ill effects - the same as many elective surgical procedures that we all make choices about every day, from OHE/neuter to removing cosmetically displeasing lumps.
The conversation shouldn't be "if you make this decision you are bad" IMO, it should be "if you choose to do this procedure, put thought into why you are doing it, weigh the benefits and risks, find someone who is good at it (including not only the procedure but up to date anesthetic and pain management protocols), be prepared to do proper aftercare, and be aware of how to recognize and address complications." That's the best any of us can do for any elective procedure.