writing to element.style.visibility has no effect on page ( same IDs have different addresses? )
<p>I of course verified that element exists.</p>

<p>I've even verified that you can read that element value.</p>

<p>But as far as the output to the page there is no effect ( the element does not become visible ).</p>

<pre><code>// debug verificatoin
alert('debug on: domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility: ' + domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility );

// write action 
domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility = 'visible';
</code></pre>

<p>Here is the code...it works on the first run..but after that fails..it is a logic issue in the javaScript I believe...this is old code..and had a weird style.</p>

<pre><code>var domMenu = 
{
    TIME_DELAY:             1000,
    time_out_id:            0,
    drop_down_element:      0,
    top_mouse_over:  function ( id ) 
    {
        if( !domMenu.drop_down_element )
        {
            domMenu.drop_down_element = document.getElementById( 'wrap_drop_down_new' );
            domMenu.top_element = document.getElementById( 'top_new' );
        }
        clearTimeout( domMenu.time_out_id );
        domMenu.show_menu();
    },
    bottom_mouse_over: function() 
    {
        clearTimeout( domMenu.time_out_id );
    },
    mouse_out: function()
    {
        domMenu.time_out_id = setTimeout( domMenu.hide_menu, domMenu.TIME_DELAY );
    },
    hide_menu:function()
    {
        domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility = 'hidden';
        domMenu.top_element.style.border = '1px solid #faf7f7';
    },
    show_menu:function()
    {    
alert('debug on: domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility: ' + domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility );
        domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility = 'visible';
        domMenu.top_element.style.border = '1px solid #cfcaca';
        domMenu.top_element.style.borderBottom = '3px solid #cfcaca';
    }
};
</code></pre>

<p><strong>Answer</strong></p>

<p>This was an issue with state so I just kept pulling the menu elements.  This is a hack fix to an issue I don't understand.</p>

<pre><code>var domMenu = 
{
    TIME_DELAY:             1000,
    time_out_id:            0,
    drop_down_element:      0,
    top_mouse_over:  function ( id ) 
    {
        domMenu.drop_down_element = document.getElementById( 'wrap_drop_down_new' );
        domMenu.top_element = document.getElementById( 'top_new' );

        clearTimeout( domMenu.time_out_id );
        domMenu.show_menu();
    },
    bottom_mouse_over: function() 
    {
        clearTimeout( domMenu.time_out_id );
    },
    mouse_out: function()
    {
        domMenu.time_out_id = setTimeout( domMenu.hide_menu, domMenu.TIME_DELAY );
    },
    hide_menu:function()
    {
        domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility = 'hidden';
        domMenu.top_element.style.border = '1px solid #faf7f7';
    },
    show_menu:function()
    {    
        // alert('debug on: domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility: ' + domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility );
        domMenu.drop_down_element.style.visibility = 'visible';
        domMenu.top_element.style.border = '1px solid #cfcaca';
        domMenu.top_element.style.borderBottom = '3px solid #cfcaca';
    }
};
</code></pre>
