Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2012 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	Aug. 31, 2009 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Additions [Member]		Aug. 31, 2011 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Additions [Member]		Aug. 31, 2010 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Additions [Member]		Aug. 31, 2012 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Deductions [Member]		Aug. 31, 2011 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Deductions [Member]		Aug. 31, 2010 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Deductions [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance			$ 9,480	$ 16,095	$ 29,721	$ 42,134
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense							2,017		4,037		3,058		(4,480)		(3,727)		(5,640)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts							(3,423)	[1]	2,756	[1]	1,802	[1]	(729)	[2]	(16,692)	[2]	(11,633)	[3]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance			9,480	16,095	29,721	42,134
Valuation Allowances and Reserves Charged Reclassified to Fair Value of Deferred Purchase Price	$ (5,864)	$ 12,238

[1] (1)Recoveries and translation adjustments.

[2] (2)Uncollectable accounts charged to the allowance. For the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011, $(5,864) and $12,238 were reclassified to the fair value of the deferred purchase price under our sale of receivables program, respectively.

[3] (3)Uncollectable accounts charged to the allowance.