Note 15 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of the Provision for Income Taxes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Current
U.S. Federal			$ 58,278	$ 58,300
U.S. state and local			3,060	2,861
Non-U.S.			6,864	7,452
Total current taxes			68,202	68,613
Deferred
U.S. Federal			2,124	(631)
U.S. state and local			197	29
Non-U.S.			(1,680)	(296)
Total deferred taxes			641	(898)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 24,429	$ 21,839	$ 68,843	$ 67,715