Income Taxes Income Taxes (Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic And Foreign) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 114,406	$ (21,377)	$ (148,829)
Foreign	48,387	59,983	(12,560)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	$ 162,793	$ 38,606	$ (161,389)

The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to domestic operations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Subparagraph 1(i)

-Article 4

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- Definition

The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to foreign operations, which is defined as Income or Loss generated from operations located outside the entity's country of domicile.

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- Definition

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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