Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Service cost
  $ —     $ 19  
Interest cost
    1,628       1,974  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,994 )     (2,074 )
Amortization of net loss
    370       774  
Other
    —       11  
Total net pension expense
  $ 4     $ 704