Note 1 - Interim Financial Statements (Details) - Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 42,176		$ 43,724		$ 186,404		$ 170,314
Gain on sale of operating properties, net of tax	540				1,080		4,059
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,425)		(2,143)		(6,296)		(10,928)
Discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	11		(814)		39		1,586
Preferred stock redemption costs			(6,213)				(6,213)
Preferred stock dividends	(14,573)		(21,622)		(43,720)		(58,037)
Income from continuing operations available to the common shareholders	26,729		12,932		137,507		100,781
Earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares	(337)		(298)		(1,011)		(893)
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	26,392		12,634		136,496		99,888
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the Company	14,461		14,174		(6,555)		12,661
Net income attributable to the Company’s common shareholders for basic earnings per share	40,853		26,808		129,941		112,549
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	408,060		405,810		407,459		405,880
Effect of dilutive securities (a):
Equity awards (in Shares)	806	[1]	937	[1]	1,051	[1]	770	[1]
Income from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06		$ 0.03		$ 0.33		$ 0.25
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.04		$ 0.04		$ (0.01)		$ 0.03
Net income (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.10		$ 0.07		$ 0.32		$ 0.28
Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	26,392		12,634		136,496		99,888
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the Company	14,461		14,174		(6,555)		12,661
Net income attributable to the Company’s common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$ 40,853		$ 26,808		$ 129,941		$ 112,549
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (in Shares)	408,060		405,810		407,459		405,880
Effect of dilutive securities (a):
Equity awards (in Shares)	806	[1]	937	[1]	1,051	[1]	770	[1]
Shares for diluted earnings per common share (in Shares)	408,866		406,747		408,510		406,650
Income from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06		$ 0.03		$ 0.33		$ 0.25
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.04		$ 0.04		$ (0.01)		$ 0.03
Net income (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.10		$ 0.07		$ 0.32		$ 0.28

[1] For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the effect of certain convertible units would have an anti-dilutive effect upon the calculation of Income from continuing operations per share. Accordingly, the impact of such conversion has not been included in the determination of diluted earnings per share calculations. Additionally, there were 10,983,598 and 11,205,056 stock options that were not dilutive at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.