Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Interest, Net (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 23,397	$ 25,649	$ 57,823	$ 73,304
Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interest	23,862	45,574	56,258	126,261
Interest Costs Capitalized	(2,641)	(2,567)	(6,503)	(8,163)
Interest income	(2,129)	(2,262)	(5,315)	(4,413)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	$ 42,489	$ 66,394	$ 102,263	$ 186,989