Note 7 - Equity Method Investments and Variable Interest Entities (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2011
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information
   
November 30,
2011
   
August 31,
2011
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 60,162     $ 78,577  
Net accounts receivable
    29,616       7,537  
Other current assets
    163,624       174,584  
Non-current assets
    55,033       50,038  
Total assets
  $ 308,435     $ 310,736  
                 
Accounts and subcontractors payable
  $ 63,336     $ 91,293  
Billings in excess of costs and accrued earnings
    27,723       27,831  
Accrued expenses and other
    118,460       97,102  
Total liabilities
  $ 209,519     $ 216,226  
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Table Text Block]
   
Three Months Ended
 
Statements of Operations
 
September 30,
2011
(unaudited)
   
September 30,
2010
(unaudited)
 
Revenues
  $ 1,082,174     $ 1,105,057  
Gross profit
    221,274       232,350  
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    44,626       29,308  
Net income attributable to shareholders
    42,814       20,286  
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Table Text Block]
   
Ownership
   
November 30,
August 31,
 
   
Percentage
   
2011
   
2011
 
Investment in Westinghouse
    20 %   $ 997,306     $ 999,035  
Other
    23% - 50 %     15,395       14,768  
Total investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities, joint ventures, and limited partnerships
          $ 1,012,701     $ 1,013,803  
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
Investment in Westinghouse, net of income taxes of $3,297 and $1,578, respectively
  $ 5,266     $ 2,479  
Other unconsolidated entities, net of income taxes of $1,057 and $198, respectively
    1,687       393  
Total earnings (losses) from unconsolidated entities, net income of taxes
  $ 6,953     $ 2,872