Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) for continuing operations
Income tax provision (benefit) at 35%	$ 46,951	$ 55,939	$ 40,423
State and local income tax, net of federal income tax effect	1,879	1,913	628
U.S. tax credits	(1,732)	(2,220)	(1,478)
Difference in effective tax rates of international operations	(14,948)	(22,689)	(24,078)
Interest on tax settlement	0	0	(4,239)
Valuation allowance	0	(9,423)	(14,139)
Valuation allowance- domestic release	(167,224)	0	0
Other - net	(383)	(3,463)	3,114
Provision (benefit) for income taxes for continuing operations	$ (135,457)	$ 20,057	$ 231