Impairment and Facility Closure Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2009
Pre-tax charges relating to impairment and closure
Write-down of inventory	$ 25,503	$ 53,203	$ 127,056
Severance Costs	8,200	21,500	12,500
Pre-tax charges relating to Facility closure [Member]
Pre-tax charges relating to impairment and closure
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets	106,655
Impairment of customer list intangible asset	12,140
Write-down of inventory	8,500
Lease termination costs	2,196
Other	7,700
Pre-tax charges relating to Facility closure [Member] | CMCS [Member]
Pre-tax charges relating to impairment and closure
Severance Costs	$ 5,051