Other Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Nov. 30, 2010
Other Assets
Operating properties		$ 0		$ 71,938
Cash surrender value of insurance contracts		59,920		59,103
Property and equipment, net		8,028		9,596
Debt issuance costs		4,444		5,254
Prepaid Expense		4,838		3,033
Deferred tax assets		1,152		1,152
Total		78,382		150,076
Other Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of multi-level residential rental property	80,600	80,600	0
Gain on sale of multi-level residential rental property	$ 8,800	$ 8,825	$ 0

Other assets.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts which could be received based on the terms of the insurance contract upon surrendering life policies owned by the entity.

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For an unclassified balance sheet, the carrying amount (net of accumulated amortization) as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments (for example, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs) that will be charged against earnings over the life of the debt instruments to which such costs pertain.

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The aggregate tax effects as of the balance sheet date of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws; net of deducting the allocated valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such amount to net realizable value.

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Gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property.

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The aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of expenditures made in advance of when the economic benefit of the cost will be realized, and which will be expensed in future periods with the passage of time or when a triggering event occurs.

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The cash inflow from the sale of formerly productive land held for sale, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it, and so forth.

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Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

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