INTEREST EXPENSE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Interest Expense, Debt	$ 111,948		$ 101,201		$ 77,272
Amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs	6,226		5,706		9,565
Amortization of Debt Issuance Discount	17,379		21,299		19,519
Loss on extinguishment of debt	25,904	[1]	5,299	[1]	9,415	[1]
Total Debt Related Expenses	49,509		32,304		38,499
Total interest expense	161,457		133,505		115,771
Senior Debt Obligations [Member]
Interest Expense, Debt	89,747		75,783		52,478
Convertible Debt [Member]
Interest Expense, Debt	18,034		16,378		16,625
Capital Leases And Other Financing Arrangements [Member]
Interest Expense, Debt	$ 4,167		$ 9,040		$ 8,169

[1] (1) See Note 5 “Long-Term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements” for detail of the loss on extinguishment of debt.