INCOME TAX (Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate from Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense at statutory rate of 35%	$ 29,818	$ 51,091	$ 57,735
State and local taxes	2,095	2,152	116
Section 199 manufacturing deduction	(4,694)	(4,017)	(1,199)
Foreign rate differential	(2,015)	(2,404)	(6,290)
Foreign tax impairment on valuation of subsidiaries	(60,204)	0	0
Change in valuation allowance	70,784	12,305	19,978
Deferred compensation	(1,375)	772	(4,164)
Nontaxable foreign interest	(16,063)	(16,712)	(16,506)
Audit settlement	(10,264)	0	0
Other	4,565	3,657	(2,319)
Income tax expense on continuing operations	$ 12,647	$ 46,844	$ 47,351
Effective income tax rates from continuing operations	14.80%	32.10%	28.70%