Sure, whatever. Hell, someone can take "Hello World!" and edit into an ICBM guidance control system. But I think most normal, reasonable people would not consider that a "modification of a program".
By the same token, it is utter nonsense to suggest that Windows can be disemboweled and made into something it's not. Do you grasp the "stuff" that's at various times been called OLE2, ActiveX, COM, and so forth? Do you understand that various components have various dependencies, and that to attempt to "surgically" rebuild the OS to some court's spec would result in a nightmare beyond comprehension -- and, a product no one would want? All at a cost no one would pay?
I have never said that removing IE would be easy. My 25 years of programming experience (which you so casually dismissed since it suited your purpose) has shown me that it would probably be a painful experience to do so. But, it could be done.
My problem with Microsoft's statement that it can't be done is this: I have never heard them say that the re-programming effort would be too great, or too expensive. That led me to believe that they simply don't want to. For that reason, I believe their statement to be disingenuous.
Okay, I've had my say. Flame away. Your flames won't be returned, as I don't need them to make my point.