Note 5 - VIEs NIMS VIEs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures
Derivative Assets	$ 14,857,000			$ 14,857,000			$ 17,212,000
VIE debt	109,651,000			109,651,000			228,240,000
Statement of Operations
Net investment income	25,635,000		38,763,000	91,225,000		124,826,000
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(41,056,000)		126,008,000	(146,937,000)		558,626,000
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments	(740,000)		80,602,000	(80,454,000)		160,900,000
NIMS VIEs
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures
Derivative Assets	1,800,000			1,800,000			1,600,000
VIE debt	9,500,000			9,500,000			9,400,000
Maximum exposure (1)	14,100,000	[1]		14,100,000	[1]		18,500,000	[1]
Statement of Operations
Net investment income				400,000		400,000
Change in fair value of derivative instruments				0		(1,300,000)
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments				(4,500,000)		3,100,000
NIMS VIEs Additional Disclosures
Number Of Remaining NIMS Bonds				2
Net cash outflow				$ (4,300,000)		$ (99,900,000)

[1] The difference between the carrying amounts of the net asset/liability position and maximum exposure related to VIEs is primarily due to the difference between the face amount of the obligation and the recorded fair values, which include an adjustment for our non-performance risk. The maximum exposure is based on the net par amount of our insured obligation as of the reporting date.