CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 811,070	$ 895,243	$ 700,104
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation (losses) gains during period	38,880	(71,612)	(34,667)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation losses (gains) to earnings upon sale of subsidiaries	0	11,090	1,031
Total foreign currency translation, net of tax	38,880	(60,522)	(33,636)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Abstract]
Actuarial losses arising during period	(56,159)	(46,284)	(7,342)
Prior service (cost) credit arising during period	(4,685)	(1,067)	(1,848)
Amortization of actuarial losses including in net periodic benefit cost	8,530	5,646	2,731
Amortization of prior service costs included in net periodic benefit cost	5,304	5,390	5,180
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	(47,010)	(36,315)	(1,279)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges [Abstract]
Unrealized net (losses) gains arising duriong period	482	(948)	623
Net (gains) losses reclassified into earnings	(357)	(124)	(389)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax	125	(1,072)	234
Other comprehensive income other adjustment, net of tax	609	238	0
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(7,396)	(97,671)	(34,681)
Comprehensive earnings	$ 803,674	$ 797,572	$ 665,423