Column property Problem

Column properties are quickly becoming my arch-nemesis.
I will explain the situation, and if anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be pleased!
Let us assume that I have a column named col_1.  Let us also assume that the Visible property for col_1 is set to false. Let us also assume that I have another column (col_2) which has a Tag value of 2.
Now, put an expression on the visible property of col_1 that states {If(number(describe("col_2.Tag")) = 2,1,0)}.
Therefore, since the tag value of col_2 is is in fact "2", the expression evaluates to TRUE, and our column is now displayed (IE it is now Visible)
Now, create a computed column (comp_col) and describe the visible property of col_1 {describe("col_1.visible")}
You will find that comp_col returns {"0~tIf(number(describe("col_2.Tag")) = 2,1,0)}
My problem with this is that the describe is returning the INITIALIZED value of col_1 (IE 0 or False) and not the CURRENT value of col_1 (IE 1 or True).
I really want to know the CURRENT property status of col_1 for use with property expressions on other columns, not the initialized value.  Is this a bug, or am I approaching the problem the wrong way (keep in mind that I want to port this DW out as a WebDW also, so I want to keep display logic from within the datawindow rather than reference outside code)
Any help or comments are appreciated.