"Granted, most conservatives would not be complaining were the judicial benches filled with clones of Robert Bork, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, or the late Clarence Manion of Notre Dame Law School. However, that is not the case."
I find it sad that even many conservatives wouldn't have much complaint if the system were being abused, so long as the outcome is alright. You know we're in trouble when people are less concerned with how our great Consitutional system is getting things done than they are about the outcome of everything. Judicial activism is judicial activism, regardless of who sits on the bench.
I disagree with you. Has this been done? The political affiliations of judges matter just as much to the judges and politicians who elect/confirm/fillibuster their ascent to the bench. There is always a 'side' to take.