Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans (Details) - Change in the Actual Financial Performance Level (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013 Financial Performance Level One [Member] November 2012 Annual Employee Performance-Based Option Grant Review [Member]		Aug. 31, 2013 Financial Performance Level Two [Member] November 2012 Annual Employee Performance-Based Option Grant Review [Member]		Aug. 31, 2013 Financial Performance Level Three [Member] November 2012 Annual Employee Performance-Based Option Grant Review [Member]		Aug. 31, 2013 Financial Performance Level Four [Member] November 2012 Annual Employee Performance-Based Option Grant Review [Member]
Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans (Details) - Change in the Actual Financial Performance Level [Line Items]
Vesting percentage			0.00%		20.00%		60.00%		100.00%
Total unamortized stock-based compensation expense	$ 10,400	$ 39,200	$ 0		$ 3,556		$ 10,668		$ 17,780
One-time adjustment			(1,192)	[1]	0	[1]	2,384	[1]	4,768	[1]
Average remaining quarterly expense to be recognized			$ 0		$ 213		$ 639		$ 1,065

[1] Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of August 31, 2013.