activist judges good for our society

Paper instructions:
Are activist judges good for our society? In debating this issue you are to discuss the following:
My opinion is Yes but i don’t think judges should have this much power.

1) If yes, identify the positive effects / consequences of the actions of activist judges.  Also, if you believe that it is good for judges to be activists, should

conservative judges assert themselves into the law as activist judges?

2)This debate should cause you to consider and examine the following questions:

What is judicial restraint?
What is judicial activism?
Is there a consistent legal rationale to court decisions, or do the justices respond to the political climate?
Do you see the United States Supreme Court as a judicial entity or a political entity?  Can it be both? Should it be both?