INCOME TAX (Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate from Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax expense at statutory rate	$ 112,144	$ 77,863	$ 56,377
State and local taxes (3)	(3,838)	9,895	6,085
Foreign tax impairment on valuation of subsidiaries	(29,866)	5,084	(29,697)
Global intangible low-taxed income	17,263	1,252	1,541
Change in valuation allowance	37,092	968	36,167
Nontaxable foreign interest	(14,617)	8	(9,799)
TCJA - Toll charge and related foreign tax credits	0	0	7,410
Other	2,975	(2,594)	1,597
Income tax expense on continuing operations	$ 121,153	$ 92,476	$ 69,681
Effective income tax rate from continuing operations	22.70%	24.90%	26.00%