Note 6 - Impairments (Details) - Asset Impairment Charges (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Marketable securities and other investments* (5)	$ 4,800,000	[1],[2]	$ 10,700,000	[1],[2]		[1],[2]
Impairment charges	217,858,000		190,218,000		59,569,000
Income tax benefit included in discontinued operations	(1,700,000)		(14,800,000)		(10,600,000)
Income tax benefit	(22,438,000)		(32,654,000)		(15,603,000)
Cumulative foreign currency translation loss included in discontinued operations (6)	92,900,000	[3]	5,100,000	[3]		[3]
Other Real Estate Investments [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Real estate	1,700,000	[1],[4]	2,900,000	[1],[4]	2,700,000	[1],[4]
Operating Expense [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges	39,800,000		32,200,000		10,300,000
Net [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges	209,600,000		157,200,000		48,600,000
Impairment Charge [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	(6,100,000)		(7,600,000)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	(400,000)		(10,600,000)		(400,000)
Discontinued Operations [Member] | Property Carrying Values [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Real estate	85,100,000	[5]	152,900,000	[5]	49,300,000	[5]
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges	178,000,000		158,000,000
Income tax benefit	1,700,000
Property Carrying Values [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Real estate	$ 33,300,000	[1],[6],[7],[8]	$ 18,600,000	[1],[6],[7],[8]	$ 7,600,000	[1],[6],[7],[8]

[1] See Footnote 15 for additional disclosure on fair value

[2] During 2014 and 2013, the Company reviewed the underlying cause of the decline in value of certain cost method investments, as well as the severity and the duration of the decline and determined that the decline was other-than-temporary. Impairment charges were recognized based upon the calculation of the investments' estimated fair value.

[3] Due to the substantial liquidation of its investment in Mexico, the Company recognized a loss from foreign currency translation related to consolidated properties in the amount of $92.9 million, before noncontrolling interest of $5.8 million. (See footnote 22 for additional disclosure).

[4] Impairment charges primarily based upon review of debt maturity status and the likelihood of foreclosure of certain underlying properties within the Company's preferred equity investments, during 2014, 2013 and 2012. The Company believes it will not recover its investment in certain preferred equity investments and as such recorded full impairments on these investments.

[5] See Footnotes 4 & 5 above for additional disclosure

[6] During 2014, the Company recognized aggregate impairment charges of $33.3 million, before an income tax benefit of $6.1 million and noncontrolling interests of $0.3 million, primarily related to adjustments to property carrying values in connection with the Company's efforts to market certain properties and management's assessment as to the likelihood and timing of such potential transactions and the anticipated hold period for such properties.

[7] During 2013, the Company recorded $18.6 million, before an income tax benefit of $7.6 million and noncontrolling interests of $1.0 million, in impairment charges primarily related to two land parcels and four operating properties based upon purchase prices or purchase price offers.

[8] During 2012, the Company recognized an aggregate impairment charge of $7.6 million, before income tax benefit of $0.3 million, relating to its investment in four land parcels. The estimated aggregate fair value of these properties was based upon purchase price offers.