Changes in Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances - September 1 (Beginning of period)	$ 781,199	$ 1,085,696
Net income (loss)	(5,367)	(1,001)	[1]
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(726)	(1,040)	[2]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(495)	(375)
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	(628)	(1,104)
Stock options exercised	11	0
Share-based compensation	3,868	4,210
Excess tax deficiency from stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested	(589)	(681)
Cash dividends	(5,002)	(4,952)
Balances - November 30 (End of period)	772,271	1,080,753
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(442)
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	(174)
Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances - September 1 (Beginning of period)	776,558	1,080,583
Net income (loss)	(6,228)	(1,671)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(726)	(1,040)	[2]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	(628)	(1,104)
Stock options exercised	11	0
Share-based compensation	3,868	4,210
Excess tax deficiency from stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested	(589)	(681)
Cash dividends	(5,002)	(4,952)
Balances - November 30 (End of period)	767,264	1,075,345
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances - September 1 (Beginning of period)	4,641	5,113
Net income (loss)	861	670	[1]
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	0	0	[2]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(495)	(375)
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	0	0
Stock options exercised	0	0
Share-based compensation	0	0
Excess tax deficiency from stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested	0	0
Cash dividends	0	0
Balances - November 30 (End of period)	$ 5,007	$ 5,408

[1] Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three months ended November 30, 2012 excludes net losses of $(442) thousand allocable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest. See Note 7 - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest.

[2] Other comprehensive loss, net of tax for the three months ended November 30, 2012 excludes $(174) thousand relating to foreign currency translation adjustments for the redeemable noncontrolling interest. See Note 7 - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest.