Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (165,432)	$ (230,334)	$ (165,432)	$ (230,334)	$ (156,867)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(8,130)	2,009	(8,565)	2,254
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(158,515)		(158,515)		(165,611)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			774
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			6,322
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			7,096
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,795)		(7,795)		(5,311)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(2,484)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(2,484)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,980)		(2,980)		11,685
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(6,269)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(8,396)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(14,665)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,858		3,858		2,370
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			1,488
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			1,488
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(6,491)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(2,074)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			$ (8,565)