Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities
Net earnings (loss)	$ (70,778)	$ (96,490)	$ 30,314
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	361,719	382,093	394,612
Net gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	(58,808)	(68,095)	(27,916)
Contributions to pension plans	(4,892)	(24,496)	(27,616)
Share-based compensation	18,454	20,637	23,120
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(121)	(808)	(2,072)
Deferred tax provision	(93,739)	(51,684)	(43,773)
Cost of debt purchase	19,153	0	0
(Increase) decrease in assets before initial effects of business acquisitions and dispositions
Accounts and notes receivable	5,035	(49,656)	79,930
Inventories	(6,927)	6,708	39,289
Prepaid expenses	(1,354)	22,945	4,127
Other assets	7,673	(58,243)	(27,670)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities before initial effects of business acquisitions and dispositions
Accrued interest and income taxes	5,831	12,661	(2,854)
Trade payables and other accruals	(27,871)	44,573	(30,810)
Other noncurrent liabilities	5,707	40,950	28,263
Other, net	9,961	21,611	16,091
Net cash provided by operating activities	169,043	202,706	453,035
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant & equipment	(98,912)	(86,324)	(109,729)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	13,675	13,602	17,750
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	74,739	50,954	16,075
Payment for businesses acquired, net of acquired cash	(10,531)	(70,534)	(36,980)
Reclassification of cash equivalents from medium-term investments	0	3,630	0
Redemption of medium-term investments	0	23	33,282
Other, net	1,550	273	(400)
Net cash used for investing activities	(19,479)	(88,376)	(80,002)
Financing Activities
Net short-term borrowings (payments)	(285,500)	48,988	(847,963)
Payment of current maturities and long-term debt	(743,075)	(519,204)	(361,724)
Cost of debt purchase	(19,153)	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discounts	1,100,000	450,000	397,660
Debt issuance costs	(27,426)	(3,058)	(3,033)
Proceeds from (payments for) settlement of interest rate swap agreements	23,387	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	4,936	41,734	606,546
Dividends paid	(98,172)	(127,792)	(171,468)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,615	20,502	17,327
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	121	808	2,072
Other, net	1	(1,032)	(379)
Net cash used for financing activities	(41,266)	(89,054)	(360,962)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	108,298	25,276	12,071
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	47,541	22,265	10,194
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 155,839	$ 47,541	$ 22,265