etc. all in the 80's-00's. The Rehnquist Court was more or less balanced with O'Connor and Kennedy the usual deciding votes but I wouldn't say the Court really tipped to the right until Alito replaced O'Connor.

On the activism thing, the main point there is there isn't really any left wing judicial activism happening these days, other than gay marriage which is now a dead issue. The right has taken on that role -- they can't win on the major hot-button issues through acts of legislature any more so instead they try and roll them back through the courts. Be that healthcare, campaign finance, school busing, affirmative action, etc.