Income Taxes (Tax Effects Of Temporary Differences On Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Income Taxes
Net operating loss carry forward	$ 269,686	$ 193,865
Receivables	5,584	8,265
Inventories	5,798	2,743
Compensated absences	6,566	6,463
Accrued expenses	24,858	34,269
Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation and amortization	12,932	21,765
U.S. foreign tax credits	10,394	9,737
Foreign jurisdiction tax credits	20,044
Equity compensation - U.S.	60,634	60,394
Equity compensation - Foreign	8,187	6,884
Cash flow hedges	10,165	11,713
Intangible assets	101,783	88,608
Other, deferred tax assets	17,884	15,196
Total gross deferred tax assets	554,515	459,902
Less valuation allowance	(469,067)	(375,301)
Net deferred tax assets	85,448	84,601
Other, deferred tax liabilities	15,665	12,853
Deferred tax liabilities	$ 15,665	$ 12,853