CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 370,091	$ 396,089	$ 382,958
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	418,117	353,492	319,179
Recognition of stock-based compensation expense	68,383	81,405	76,230
Deferred income taxes	(123,165)	(9,201)	2,266
Impairment of notes receivable and related charges	25,597
Excess tax benefit related to stock awards	(14,605)	(885)	(180)
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries			23,944
Settlement of receivables and related charges			12,673
Other, net	12,616	25,563	10,718
Change in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	750	(22,626)	48,232
Inventories	50,229	(53,268)	(158,545)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(82,756)	(141,526)	(212,265)
Other assets	(5,025)	(2,745)	3,205
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	485,972	21,955	305,814
Income taxes payable	7,685	(14,027)	13,780
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,213,889	634,226	828,009
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(736,858)	(497,697)	(458,989)
Cash paid for business and intangible asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(650,054)	(125,098)	3,985
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	15,792	16,408	23,483
Proceeds from disposal of available for sale investments			5,800
Cost of receivables acquired, net of cash collections		517	(557)
Investments in non-marketable equity securities	(3,342)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,374,462)	(605,870)	(426,278)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements	5,764,400	9,233,414	7,572,157
Payments toward debt agreements	(5,586,738)	(8,748,420)	(7,586,754)
Payments to acquire treasury stock	(129,262)	(70,991)	(200,226)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(67,181)	(65,240)	(60,411)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest		(333)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	18,285	26,003	31,644
Debt issuance costs		(6,254)	(14,549)
Treasury stock minimum tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(20,290)	(31,205)	(9,763)
Cash paid to purchase noncontrolling interest	(17,500)	(20,501)
Excess tax benefit related to stock awards	14,605	885	180
Capital contribution to noncontrolling interest	316
Bank overdraft	372
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(22,993)	317,358	(267,722)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(22,317)	(17,069)	10,273
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(205,883)	328,645	144,282
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of fiscal year	1,217,256	888,611	744,329
Cash and cash equivalents at end of fiscal year	1,011,373	1,217,256	888,611
Supplemental disclosure information:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	102,614	95,488	84,956
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	$ 128,780	$ 139,094	$ 81,228