INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
INVESTMENTS
Gross realized gains (losses) from the sale of short-term investments		$ 2,000,000
Investments
Book value	5,319,000	21,993,000
Unrealized gains	31,000	126,000
Unrealized losses	(20,000)	(294,000)
Net unrealized (losses) gains	11,000	(168,000)
Fair Value	5,330,000	21,825,000
Amount included in short-term investments	3,079,000	19,574,000
Amount included in other assets	2,251,000	2,251,000
Contractual maturities (at adjusted cost) of available-for-sale debt securities
Due within one year	3,099,000
Due after 10 years	2,220,000
Total	5,319,000
Minimum maturity period of short-term investments as company has the ability and intent to redeem them within the year (in days)	90 days
Corporate equity securities
Investments
Book value		87,000
Fair Value		158,000
Auction-rate securities
Investments
Book value	2,220,000	2,220,000
Fair Value	2,251,000	2,251,000
Amount included in other assets	2,251,000	2,251,000
Corporate debt securities and other obligations
Investments
Book value	3,099,000	19,686,000
Fair Value	$ 3,079,000	$ 19,416,000