I know that the core of linux is a kernel, a piece of code that sits between the hardware and the user or system apps and services.

Linux kernel is the base of many distributions.

Now: can this kernel be used to create a whole new distribution or operating system, that use it 'as is'?

Can someone get a new running system that works with 3g, gsm, BME, 3D... just as they are? I mean not being a mod, hack or enhancement of Maemo, but a new operating system, that loads the same drivers that Maemo loads, but with a different approach...